Volumio Rivo Plus

Volumio

For those who might not know much about Volumio, let’s take a moment to highlight its origins. The journey began with the Volumio OS, a free software tailored for Raspberry Pi and PC, specifically created to serve as a Music Player operating system.

This system is made for optimal bit-perfect audio playback, supports all audio file formats, and features an array of community-developed plugins to enhance its functionality. Plus, it can easily be accessed from various devices connected to the same network.

Volumio OS isn’t just a favorite among audio aficionados; it has also been embraced by numerous established brands as the foundational software for their streaming devices. While the basic version of Volumio OS is available for free, unlocking premium features does require a subscription, available on a monthly or annual basis.

You can read more about the Volumio OS here.

After successfully launching Volumio OS, the brand ventured into creating its own streaming devices. They now offer digital transports, both with and without a DAC, an integrated amplifier designed for streaming, and a versatile all-in-one desktop DAC/amp streamer. For more details on the Rivo, Rivo Plus, Primo, Integro, and Motivo, check out the information here.



The Volumio Rivo Plus

The Volumio Rivo Plus takes everything great about the original Rivo and levels it up. This standalone streamer, which doesn’t have a built-in DAC, now offers some impressive new features: a dedicated ASIC for improving S/PDIF and AES-EBU outputs, upgraded MEMS clocks in the USB HUB IC, an I2S over HDMI digital output, and a 12V trigger for powering up or down other equipment. True to its lineage, the Rivo Plus includes a lifetime subscription that unlocks all premium features of the Volumio OS, just like all other Volumio devices.

Technical stuff

The new model incorporates a specialized ASIC dedicated to generating S/PDIF and AES-EBU output signals, effectively relieving the CPU of this critical task. This custom integrated circuit is engineered to produce these digital signals with exceptional accuracy, eliminating potential interference or jitter that could arise from the main processor.

Supporting this dedicated ASIC is a premium MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) clock, which offers an incredibly stable and low-jitter timing reference. When combined with low-noise voltage regulators, these enhancements elevate the performance of the Rivo Plus, ensuring that the output signals are as pure and refined as possible.

Additionally, the upgraded MEMS clocks within the USB HUB IC significantly improve reclocking and signal integrity, particularly when connected to the USB DAC port. This results in outstanding jitter and frequency stability, making the system less vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and aging, thereby ensuring consistently high-quality audio output.

At the core of the system is the Amlogic S905D3, a Quad Core 1.9 GHz processor paired with 2GB of DDR4 RAM and 16GB EMMC ROM, mirroring the configuration found in the Rivo. The device runs on a standard external 5V/3A switching power adapter but also features an internal power supply equipped with substantial filtering capacitance and several local voltage regulators.



Non Audio stuff

The Volumio Rivo Plus bears a striking resemblance to its siblings, the Primo and the Rivo, distinguished mainly by its unique colored faceplate and center button. Internally, the two WiFi antennas are neatly tucked away within the chassis, contributing to its sleek design. It's important to note that the device lacks a power on/off switch, which means it will always remain in standby mode.

This elegant, modern chassis is crafted by the esteemed Design Narratives Ltd. Its aesthetic is decidedly minimalistic, featuring a single button on the front panel equipped with an integrated LED for waking the device from standby. Users can also adjust the LED's brightness through the menu.

Constructed from high-quality aluminum, the enclosure is both exceptionally well-made and visually appealing, measuring in at just 27x15x5 cm. This compact size allows it to fit seamlessly into any space, while its contemporary elegance complements various interior design styles.

Connectivity and the I2S over HDMI digital output

The Rivo Plus is a specialized streaming transport designed solely for digital outputs. It features a variety of connectivity options, including a USB DAC, coaxial, AES-EBU, and I2S over HDMI outputs to enhance your streaming experience. Additionally, it supports Gigabit 10/100/1000M LAN, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac with RSDB, and Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connections.

For added convenience, the device includes two USB ports (2.0 and 3.0) for hooking up external storage devices, a micro SD card slot, and an HDMI display port. You can even use the two USB ports to connect a mouse and keyboard, allowing you to operate the Rivo Plus just like a computer.

You might already be aware that there isn't a universal standard for the pin arrangement of the I2S over HDMI protocol. Each DAC manufacturer uses its own pin layout, so there's no guarantee that your transport will work seamlessly with every DAC out there. But don’t worry! The Volumio Rivo Plus comes equipped with an automatic pin assignment feature that supports configurations for nearly all known DACs with an I2S input.

All you need to do is go to the I2S configuration menu within the Volumio application, select your DAC from the provided list, and you're all set. In the unlikely event that your DAC isn't listed, you can reach out to Volumio support. They can help you request its inclusion in a future firmware update or assist you in finding another DAC from the menu that has an I2S profile compatible with yours.

Operation

Getting started is quick and easy! Simply download the official Volumio app for iOS or Android, then follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your home network or use Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can access all the settings through a web browser on your PC.

The Volumio Rivo Plus is a powerhouse for music streaming, supporting all major music services and allowing you to play content from local or network drives, as well as internet radio. It also functions as a UPnP/DLNA renderer with open home support, and supports Airplay via Shairport Sync.

With Roon ready certification, the Rivo Plus seamlessly integrates with Spotify and Spotify Connect, Tidal and Tidal Connect, and Qobuz natively. You can also access services like YouTube, Squeezelite, Radio Paradise, Podcasts, Pandora, Fusion DSP with EQ, Mixcloud, and Soundcloud by installing their respective plugins. This device is compatible with all music file formats, supporting a maximum bit rate of 768kHz/32bit PCM through USB and I2S outputs.

The Volumio Premium OS comes packed with features such as gapless playback, CD playback and ripping, and the ability to stream music to Chromecast-enabled devices or SONOS. Other highlights include AI super search, multi-room playback, and music and artist credit discovery. One limitation at this time is that browsing Qobuz information booklets is unavailable, and the track metadata isn’t as comprehensive as what you'd find in the application.

Another very strange glitch is that the Volumio takes over the phone's or tablet's volume and maxes it out so you can't watch videos or other multimedia content while using this device as a remote for the Rivo Plus.

Please consider that there are so many features that is impossible for a reviewer to test them all and report possible glitches.



User experience

The Volumio Rivo Plus delivers an exceptional user experience, thanks to its well-designed and user-friendly application. It effortlessly integrates streaming services and vast music libraries, offering quick search and access speeds.

The operating system runs smoothly, with high stability and responsiveness, and I’ve noticed it handles regular updates without any glitches or freeze-ups. I’ve used both the Rivo and Rivo Plus extensively, and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve needed to restart.

In terms of design, the Rivo Plus is sleek and minimalistic—shedding the bulk of an LCD display that usually adds both size and unnecessary digital noise. Instead, everything you need is conveniently accessible through your phone, which acts as the remote control. While some may miss having a display, I find it preferable; I never waste time browsing through cover art or sampling rates when I have more engaging things to do, like concentrate listening to the music.

Audio stuff

I’ve had the pleasure of using the Rivo Plus with a variety of DACs and DAC/amp combos, both in my 2-channel speaker setup and with several headphones. Across the board, its performance has been impressively consistent. The Rivo Plus truly shines, enhancing the audio quality of more expensive components like the Lab12 dac1 reference, Laiv Harmony DAC, and Extraudio DAC1 MKII. It has no audio performance limitations and can confidently be regarded as a top-tier streamer, regardless of the setup's quality or price.

It's important to note that a high-end digital transport such as the Rivo Plus won’t transform your DAC into something entirely different or alter its inherent sound. Instead, it delivers crystal-clear, as transparent as possible digital streams free from jitter and electronic noise. This means your DAC can perform at its peak, precisely as its designer intended.

It doesn't matter whether the DAC features a tube output buffer, follows an R2R design, or boasts a precise scientific implementation. The Rivo Plus ensures that every type of DAC—regardless of its design—achieves peak sonic performance.

The Rivo Plus works wonders by softening the harshness of treble frequencies and effectively reducing digital artifacts that many sources struggle with. For those sources that are already well-balanced, the Rivo Plus adds an organic quality, enhancing their sound with an extra layer of analog warmth.

Every DAC experienced significant enhancements in their soundstage, expanding in depth and accuracy of positioning. Depending on the specific DAC, improvements in holography and grandeur were noticeable as well.

The sources became more resolute, revealing details in a more natural manner without tipping into an overly analytical edge. Dynamics broadened and delivered a more impactful experience. I could go on about other benefits, like the seamless flow of music, the expressive melodies, and the enriched listening insight, but let's wrap it up here. Ultimately, the Rivo Plus excelled at revealing and enhancing the essential qualities of each DAC, all while avoiding any undesirable audible effects.



Upgrading the power adapter

The Rivo Plus comes with a decent power supply design that delivers a clean and quiet performance right from the start. However, to truly elevate its capabilities, a higher quality power adapter is recommended.

Switching to a less noisy power adapter can help reveal the full potential of the Rivo Plus, enhancing its ability to produce a richer, more silent background. A quality switching power adapter, or even better, an external linear power supply (LPS), can significantly increase clarity, improve separation and inner detail, and boost the overall transparency of the device.

You don’t need to break the bank to achieve this upgrade. For instance, the SilentPower iPower2 5V/2.5A offers a much quieter alternative compared to the stock adapter and serves as a great starting point. From there, depending on your budget, you could explore true linear power supplies like the Volumio Lineo5 or any option that suits your needs.

Comparison with the Volumio Rivo

The Volumio Rivo model is still available and is priced €310 lower than the Rivo Plus. The key distinctions between the two devices are that the Rivo Plus features an I2S over HDMI output and important circuit improvements.

Having used the Rivo as my primary digital transport for over a year, I found it easy to compare it with the Rivo Plus. The newer model enhanced the performance of all my DACs, bringing them closer to their true potential. While the differences aren't drastic, they are definitely noticeable. This raises an important question: does the Volumio Rivo Plus truly justify the €310 premium over the original Rivo?

The answer is yes, but only if your system can leverage the enhanced sonic performance or if you require a high-quality I2S over HDMI digital output. In high-end audio, it's well-known that significant investments often yield only marginal improvements, making the cost-to-benefit ratio worth considering. The Rivo Plus does justify its higher price tag in this context. However, outside of that specific scenario, the Volumio Rivo stands out as an excellent digital transport at an unbeatable price, offering better value than the Rivo Plus.

To be completely candid, considering the €310 price increase, I would have expected Volumio to include a higher-quality external power adapter—perhaps something by MeanWell, which is reasonably priced and wouldn’t significantly impact the company's profit margin.



Conclusion

The Volumio Rivo Plus builds on the strengths of the original Rivo, taking its already impressive digital transport capabilities and enhancing them even further. This latest model introduces several vital improvements that elevate its sonic performance and also adds the long-awaited I2S over HDMI output.

While the Rivo Plus doesn’t render the original Rivo obsolete, it does deliver a level of audio quality that justifies its premium pricing. It stands out as the sole high-end digital transport available at a reasonable cost—especially when you factor in the lifetime subscription to all premium features of Volumio OS.

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The Volumio Rivo Plus was kindly provided for this review. I don't use affiliate links. The price of the Volumio Rivo Plus is €1299 and includes includes shipping, import duties and sales taxes. The Rivo Plus is directly available from Volumio.

Disclaimer: For various Google indexing reasons, most parts of this review have been processed with an automatic paragraph rewriting tool. However it reads exactly the same as the original content that is available in my website.